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/'.(/•/•A'.S i^F THE HISTORIC A I. SOCIETY OF HE I. A WARE. 

XL. 



Samuel White and his Father 
Judge Thomas White. 



AX ALMOST FORGOTTEN SENATOR; AND HLS 

FATHER WHO WAS A FOLLOWER OF 

ASBURY IN THE EARLY DAYS 

OF METHODISM. 



BV 

Henkv C. Conrad, 



LIBRARI.AN l)K THK SOCIKTV. 



Read before the Historical Society of Delaware, Sept. 21, 1903. 



Till-: IIISTORIC.VI. SOCIKTY OF r)EL.\\V.-\RK, 

WILMINGTON, 
1903. 




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PAPERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. 

XL. 



Samuel White and his Father 
Judge Thomas White. 



AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN SENATOR; AND HIS 

FATHER WHO WAS A FOLLOWER OF 

ASBURY IN THE EARLY DAYS 

OF METHODISM. 



BY 

HKNRY C. Conrad, 



LIHRARIAN OF THE SOCIETY. 



Read before the Historical Society of Delaware, Sept. 21, 1903. 



THE HISTORICAL vSOCIETY OF DELAWARE, 

WILMINGTON, 
1903. 



Mono.rapH 






The John M. Rogers Press, Wilmington, Del. 



SAMUEL WHITE. 



The wheels of time move swiftly and surely. Men come 
and go and are forgotten. But few of the many make such 
an impression as to leave l^ehiud them a record that is 
remembered. 

Just one hundred and two years ago, Sanuiel White was 
appointed United States Senator by Governor Richard 
Bassett, to succeed Dr. Henry Latimer, who had resigned 
the office; and after the lapse of a century it is with difficulty 
that enough information can be gotten together to make a 
respectable biography of this man who held the exalted 
position of United States Senator from Delaware. 

Investigation establishes the fact that Samuel White was 
a son of Thomas White, and that he was born in 1770, on 
the farm of his father in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, 
Delaware, a few miles from the village of Whiteleysburg. 
The father, Thomas White, was known as Judge White, 
having from 1777 until 1792 served as one of the Justices of 
the Court of Common Pleas and Orphans' Court of Kent 
County; during the last two years of that time as Chief 
Justice. This Court existed under the first constitution of 
the State, adopted in 1776, but was abolished by the consti- 
tution of 1792. Judge White, at the time of his death, was 
Register of Wills for Kent County. He was one of the large 
land owners in Kent County and an influential citizen. 



^'MOL^ 



Fac siini/e of the Si(/nittui 
of Thoinan 'While, 



4 SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FA THER. 

In 1777 when Francis Asbury made his advent into Dela- 
ware as the pioneer preacher of Methodism, Judge White' 
and his brother Dr. Edward White became much interested 
in him and in the cause which he represented, and in time, 
both became converts, and afterwards warm adherents of his 
faith. Asbury spent much time at the home of the two 
White brothers, but he became particularly attached to 
Thomas White, and in his journal speaks of him as his 
"dearest friend in America," and says that Judge White's 
home was the only home that he ever had. Asbury never 
married, and being in the Methodist itinerancy from his 
early days, had no permanent place of abode. Most of the 
Methodist preachers were English-born, and one of their 
tenets was a refusal to bear arms. Denounced by other 
sects as "noisy, pestilential fellows" and suspected by the 
authorities of enmity to the patriotic cause, the Methodists 
fell into great disfavor during the Revolution. Judge White, 
because of his adherence to the Methodist cause and his 
close friendship for Asbury, was suspected, of being at least 
lukewarm towards the independence of the colonies and so 
strong did the sentiment become against him that in the 
autumn of 1777 he was arrested and imprisoned as a Tory. 
After being separated from his family some weeks, which 
was a source of great concern and distress to them, he was 
exonerated and discharged. 

This was while Asbury was sheltered and cared for on the 
White plantation. On the death of Asbury in 18 16, Rev. 
Ezekiel Cooper, one of the earliest Methodist preachers from 
the peninsula, preached a funeral discourse on Asbury in 
St. George's Church in Philadelphia in the course of which, 
referring to this period, he said, "Asbury found an asylum, 



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SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FATHER. 5 

as his castle of safety in the house and with the hospitable 
family of his fast and firm friend, Thomas White, Esq., one 
of the Judges of the Court in Kent County, Delaware. He 
was a pious man and his wife one of the holiest of women; 
they were great friends to the cause of religion and to 
preachers generally. From this place of retreat and protec- 
tion, as in a castle of repose and safety, he could correspond 
with his suffering brethern, who where scattered abroad in 
different parts. He could also, occasionally travel about, 
visiting the societies and sometimes preaching to the people, 
in .some of their movements they had to be very cautious 
and circumspect, for they were watched as the hawk watches 
the partridge on the mountain, and as the wolves watch the 
sheep of the pasture and the lambs of the flock. ' ' The fact 
that subsequently Judge White was honored with important 
public station would indicate that he continued in favor 
with the populace as well as with those in authority. One 
of the earliest Methodist Churches on the peninsula was 
"White's Chapel," named for the Judge, and situated near 
Judge White's residence. A church bearing the same name 
still stands a few miles from the old site. The original 
White's Chapel falling in disuse, went to decay, but years 
afterwards, the frame work that remained, was removed a 
mile or more westward, across the State line into Maryland, 
and there it was used as part of the super-structure of what 
was called Lee's Chapel, and for many years was regularly 
used for Methodist services. In course of time it was sup- 
planted by Shepherd's Chapel and the building, still in a 
good state of preservation, is used as a barn or storehouse 
on the Carter farm, adjoining the old location of L,ee's 
Chapel. 



6 SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FA THER. 

It was at Judge White's house that the first conference of 
the Methodist preachers was held on April 28th, 1779, and 
it was here that the important and significant step was taken 
of appointing Francis Asbury, the general assistant or 
superintendent in America, with the right of determining 
questions in conference after due consideration. From this 
time Asbury became the recognized centre of Methodism in 
America, and in Judge White's house was born the idea of 
Episcopal Supervision. 

Judge White died at his plantation in 1795, in the sixty- 
fifth year of his age. Asbury in speaking of the death of 
Judge White, makes this entry in his journal: "This news 
was attended with an awful shock to me. I have met with 
nothing like it in the death of any friend on the continent. 
I have lived days, weeks, and months in his house. He 
was a friend to the poor and oppressed; he had been a 
professed churchman, and united to the Methodist connec- 
tion about seventeen or eighteen years. His house and 
heart were always open; and he was a faithful friend to 
liberty in spirit and practice; he was a wise, indulgent 
husband, a tender father, and an affectionate friend." 

Judge White devised his home place, called "Belisle" to 
his son Samuel White. This son seems to have had the 
advantage of a good education. He studied law presumably 
with Richard Bassett, and was admitted to the bar at Dover 
in March 1793. Soon after his admission he seems to have 
deserted his native county, and as far as is known never 
occupied the farm which his father devised to him. The 
farm he sold in 1806 to John Orrell, and with this his con- 
nection with Kent County ceased. He took up his residence 
in Wilmington, where he resided during all the time he was 



SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FA THER. 7 

in public life. He was a Federalist in politics, but held no 
office until appointed United States Senator on February 
28th, iSoi, by Governor Bassett. 

Richard Bassett, like Judge White was a communicant in 
the Church of England. The story is told that Bassett had 
been engaged in the trial of a case at Denton, Maryland, 
and was driving from Denton to his home in Dover, and 
stopped at Judge White's for supper, Mrs. White was enter- 
taining Asbury and some of his companions, and sought to 
keep them out of sight of the distinguished lawyer. Forced 
to introduce them, Asbury made such an impression upon 
Bassett that it led to the conversion of the latter, who 
became an enthusiastic Methodist, and so continued during 
his life. At Bassett's death in 1815, at his home on Bohemia 
Manor, a funeral discourse commemorative of him and of 
his distinguished father-in-law James A. Bayard, the elder, 
was preached by Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, who at that time 
ranked as the most eloquent and forcible preacher of his 
day. Twenty years and more after Richard Bassett had 
broken bread under Thomas White's roof and been intro- 
duced to Francis Asbury, he remembered his good friend 
of early days and appointed his son Samuel White to the 
vacancy in the United States Senate. On January nth, 
1803, at the regular session of the General Assembly, 
Samuel White was elected for the full term of Senator 
beginning March 4th, 1803. He was placed in nomination 
by Outerbridge Horsey, a representative from Sussex 
County, and was elected over George Read Junr, (a son of 
the signer of the Declaration) by a vote of 20 to 9. He 
ser\'ed the full term, and on January nth, 1809, was re- 
elected for a second term. At this election he was placed 



8 SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FA THER. 

in nomination by Henry M. Ridgely, a representative from 
Kent County, and received 17 votes to 10 votes cast for 
Andrew Gray, the grandfather of our present Judge George 
Gray, who was a manufacturer in Mill Creek Hundred. At 
the time of his election he had barely reached the constitu- 
tional age of a senator, and was one of the youngest mem- 
bers ever elected to that body. It is a remarkable fact that 
both of the men who placed Samuel White in nomination 
for Senator afterwards became members of that body. Out- 
erbridge Horsey was elected as the successor of Senator 
White on the latter 's death in 1809, and Henry M. Ridgely 
was elected Unites States Senator in 1827. 

Samuel White had as his colleague in the Senate, for one 
year, William Hill Wells, of Sussex County, and afterwards 
James A. Bayard, the elder. The proceedings of the Senate 
show that Samuel White was not a silent member. Soon 
after his admission he made a vigorous speech in opposition 
to the lyousiania Purchase, and placed himself decidedly 
against the doctrine of expansion. Nothing in the way of 
records remain to indicate how active or prominent he 
became as a lawyer. The first reported cases of Delaware 
decisions begin twenty years and more after his death. 

While still a member of the United States Senate he died 
on the fourth day of November, 1S09, ^^ Wilmington. His 
remains were interred at the Old Swedes' graveyard, this 
city, where a plain slab covering his grave contains the fol- 
lowing inscription: 

BENEATH THIS STONE 
ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF 

SAMUEL WHITE, Esq., 

A NATIVE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE 

WHO DIED NOVEMBER 4th, 1809. 

AGE 39 YEARS. 



SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FA THER. 9 

The following obituary appeared in the "American Daily 
Advertiser" of November 8th, 1809, published by Zachariah 
Poulson in Philadelphia: — 

"With painful regret we announce the death of 
Samuel White, Esq., he died at his lodgings in Wil- 
mington, on Saturday morning last (November 4th, 
1809). Mr. White has for several years past repre- 
sented the State of Delaware in the Senate of the United 
States where his talents were known to l)e respectable, 
and his integrity unblemished. In the circle of his 
acquaintances, which were very extensive, his loss will 
be severely felt, and deeply regretted, and his virtues 
in private life will be long cherished in grateful remem- 
brance. His probity of conduct, urbanity of manner 
and manly deportment justly entitled him to the rank 
of a worthy citizen and an accomplished gentlemen." 

At the opening of the General Assembly in January 18 10, 
in the message of Governor George Truitt the following 
reference was made to the death of Senator White: — 

"In the death of Mr. White, late a Senator from this 
State in Congress, we have to deplore the loss of a very 
amiable man, a good citizen and a faithful representa- 
tive; and although the vacancy occasioned by his death 
occurred in the recess of the legislature, ^-et wishing 
to leave you a free and unbiassed choice, not fettered 
with an incumbent, whom it might be unpleasant to 
overlook in the selection, I have not taken upon myself 
the exercise of the discretionary power vested in me by 
the constitution of the United States, of appointing a 
person to succeed liim. This subject will claim your 
early attention," 



10 SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FA THER. 

Samuel White never married. His father Judge White, 
at the time of his death left to survive hira a widow named 
Margaret, who was the daughter of David Nutter, of North 
West Fork Hundred, Sussex County, the one son Samuel, 
and three daughters, named respectively: Margaret Nutter 
Polk, Sarah Cook and Anna White. As far as ascertained 
the latter never married ; Margaret Nutter, the oldest 
daughter, married Daniel Polk, of Sussex County. 

Daniel Polk was the son of Robert Polk, Jr., and his 
grand parents were Robert and Magdalen Polk of Sussex 
County. Daniel Polk was a member from Sussex County, 
of the Constitutional Convention Vv'hich formulated the Con- 
stitution of the State of Delaware of 1792. 

Daniel Polk was an enterprising money-getting man. He 
accumulated a large property but died insolvent. After his 
marriage with Miss White they first lived in Sussex County, 
and later in Kent County, presumably on part of the White 
land. Daniel Polk died March 29th, 1796, and his wife on 
September 3d of the same year. Ten children were born of the 
marriage of whom eight survived their father and mother, all 
being minors, at the time of their parents death. Elizabeth 
Polk, the oldest daughter married December 6th, 1795, 
Doctor James Lawson Clayton, a son of Governor Joshua 
Clayton. Doctor Clayton made his home all his life on 
Bohemia Manor, just across the line in Cecil County, Mary- 
land, and eight children were born of the marriage. There 
are several descendants of this line still living. The 
Clayton house is still standing. Both Doctor Clayton 
and his wife were buried in the cemetery at Bethel M. E. 
Church. 

John Polk, the second child of Daniel Polk entered the 




Peggy Polk, Niece of Senator White. 

Who Married Dr. George Logan. 



SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FATHER. 11 

U. S. Nav}- as a mid-shipman in 1799 and was lost in the 
wreck of the "Insurgent." He was unmarried. 

Peggy, or Margaret, the third child of Daniel Polk with 
her twin sister Sarah, was born September 26th, 1780, Sarah 
died when a year old. Peggy Polk married Doctor George 
Logan of South Carolina, whom she met while attending 
school in Philadelphia, Doctor Logan at the time being a 
student of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. 
They were married at Doctor Clayton's, and Miss Polk was 
the ward of Hon. Caesar A. Rodney, who had been a voxy 
close political friend of her father's. Doctor George Logan 
and his wife lived in South Carolina, Mrs. Logan died in 1826, 
at the age of forty-six years, leaving six sons to survive her. 
There are grand children still living, Mrs. Logan was the 
beauty of the family. 

Daniel Polk, Jr., the fifth child of Daniel Polk entered 
the U. S. Navy as Mid-shipman in 1799, both he and his 
brother John being appointed to the Navy by President John 
Adams on the recommendation of Caesar A. Rodney. Dagiel 
Jr., resigned from the Navy in 1804, and married in 18 12 his 
cousin Eleanor Polk, daughter of Trusten Laws Polk. They 
emigrated to Louisville, Kentucky and afterward located 
in Shelby County in the same State. They had twelve 
children, who were the progenitors of many descendants. 
Kleanor Polk, wife of Daniel, Jr., died before her husband 
and he afterwards married a lady from Kentucky named 
Hite, by whom there were no children. Daniel, Jr., died in 
Kentucky June 14th, 1838. Several descendants of this 
Hue are living. 

Thomas White Polk, the sixth child of Daniel Polk was 
born in 1784 but lived only ten years. Another son Robert, 



12 SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS FATHER. 

born two years later lived to be nine years old, and the 
tenth and last child named Maria, died in infancy. 

Anna Polk, the eight child of Daniel Polk born in 1788 
married William Gibson Tilghman of Talbot County, Mary- 
land in 1809. There were nine Tilghman children, five of 
whom grew to maturity and married, and are nearly if not 
all represented by descendants at the present time. 

Samuel White Polk, the ninth child of Daniel Polk, 
born in 1790, was educated by his uncle, the Senator, 
and married Margaret F. Fletcher, daughter of Gov- 
ernor Fletcher of Louisana. His life after marriage was 
spent in New Orleans, where several of his descendants 
are still living. He is said to have been a man who 
was scrupulously neat in his attire and who lived a life of 
ease. 

The only descendants of Judge Thomas White came 
through his daughter Margaret Nutter, who married Daniel 
Polk as traced above. 

Judge White's daughter Sarah, married Doctor Robert 
Cook the only son of John Cook, Governor of Delaware in 
1783. Doctor Cook during his married life with Sarah 
White lived in or near Smyrna, and practiced his profession 
there. No children were born of the marriage, and Sarah 
Cook died early, and afterwards Doctor Cook married Nancy 
Rogers, the widow of Governor Daniel Rogers of Milford, 
and after his marriage to her he lived in the large mansion 
house in South Milford now owned and occupied by Joseph 
E. Holland. 

Samuel White serv^ed as guardian for nearly all of the 
orphaned children of his sister Margaret Nutter Polk. They 
inherited some means from their mother and this was invested 




Fac Simile of Monogram 

ON THE 

Family Silver 



Thomas and Margaret White. 



SAMUEL WHITE AND HIS EA THER. 13 

and looked after by their uncle who also interested himself 
in their education and establishment in life. 

The portrait of Samuel White, which appears in this 
publication is a copy from a portrait drawn by St. Memim 
and presumably was made about the year 1808. In it he 
appears in uniform. On September 21st, 1807, he was 
appointed Adjutant General of the Militia of the State by 
Governor Nathaniel Mitchell. In 1803 he was commissioned 
by the Governor, under an Act of the General Assembly, 
to obtain copies from Pennsylvania of the early land grants 
made by the proprietaries, of realestate located in Delaware, 
but which had been improperly recorded elsewhere. He 
served for several years as one of the State directors of the 
Farmers Bank, and was a Presidential Elector in 1800. 

Judge White by his will which was probated at Dover, 
March 7th, 1795, provided for the liberation of all his slaves 
using the following language therein: "I think it wrong 
and oppressive and not doing as I would be willing to be 
done by, to keep negroes in bondage or perpetual slavery. 
I therefore, hereby manumit and set free those that are or 
have been in bondage to me. ' ' He then mentions the names 
of twenty-one slaves. Samuel White, the son, seemed 
imbued with the same idea, as the records at Dover disclose 
four separate deeds of manumission from Samuel White to 
slaves owned by him, between 1799 and 1804. 

These fragments of history that remain after the lapse of 
a century, justify the conclusion that both father and son 
were true sons of Delaware; and that in their day and gener- 
ation they merited the recognition and honors that fell to 
them. 



